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Haverfield JT, Stanton PG, Loveland KL, Zahid H, Nicholls PK, Olcorn JS, Makanji Y, Itman CM, Simpson ER, Meachem SJ. Suppression of Sertoli cell tumour development during the first wave of spermatogenesis in inhibin α-deficient mice. Reprod Fertil Dev 2018; 29:609-620. [PMID: 26488911 DOI: 10.1071/rd15239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2015] [Accepted: 09/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
A dynamic partnership between follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and activin is required for normal Sertoli cell development and fertility. Disruptions to this partnership trigger Sertoli cells to deviate from their normal developmental pathway, as observed in inhibin α-knockout (Inha-KO) mice, which feature Sertoli cell tumours in adulthood. Here, we identified the developmental windows by which adult Sertoli cell tumourigenesis is most FSH sensitive. FSH was suppressed for 7 days in Inha-KO mice and wild-type littermates during the 1st, 2nd or 4th week after birth and culled in the 5th week to assess the effect on adult Sertoli cell development. Tumour growth was profoundly reduced in adult Inha-KO mice in response to FSH suppression during Weeks 1 and 2, but not Week 4. Proliferative Sertoli cells were markedly reduced in adult Inha-KO mice following FSH suppression during Weeks 1, 2 or 4, resulting in levels similar to those in wild-type mice, with greatest effect observed at the 2 week time point. Apoptotic Sertoli cells increased in adult Inha-KO mice after FSH suppression during Week 4. In conclusion, acute FSH suppression during the 1st or 2nd week after birth in Inha-KO mice profoundly suppresses Sertoli cell tumour progression, probably by inhibiting proliferation in the adult, with early postnatal Sertoli cells being most sensitive to FSH action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenna T Haverfield
- Hudson Institute of Medical Research, 27-31 Wright Street, Clayton, Vic. 3168, Australia
| | - Peter G Stanton
- Hudson Institute of Medical Research, 27-31 Wright Street, Clayton, Vic. 3168, Australia
| | - Kate L Loveland
- Hudson Institute of Medical Research, 27-31 Wright Street, Clayton, Vic. 3168, Australia
| | - Heba Zahid
- Hudson Institute of Medical Research, 27-31 Wright Street, Clayton, Vic. 3168, Australia
| | - Peter K Nicholls
- Hudson Institute of Medical Research, 27-31 Wright Street, Clayton, Vic. 3168, Australia
| | - Justine S Olcorn
- Hudson Institute of Medical Research, 27-31 Wright Street, Clayton, Vic. 3168, Australia
| | - Yogeshwar Makanji
- Hudson Institute of Medical Research, 27-31 Wright Street, Clayton, Vic. 3168, Australia
| | - Catherine M Itman
- Priority Research Centres for Reproductive Science and Chemical Biology, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Faculty of Science and Information Technology, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Evan R Simpson
- Hudson Institute of Medical Research, 27-31 Wright Street, Clayton, Vic. 3168, Australia
| | - Sarah J Meachem
- Hudson Institute of Medical Research, 27-31 Wright Street, Clayton, Vic. 3168, Australia
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Tarulli GA, Stanton PG, Loveland KL, Rajpert-De Meyts E, McLachlan RI, Meachem SJ. A survey of Sertoli cell differentiation in men after gonadotropin suppression and in testicular cancer. SPERMATOGENESIS 2014; 3:e24014. [PMID: 23687617 PMCID: PMC3644048 DOI: 10.4161/spmg.24014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
It is widely held that the somatic cell population that is responsible for sperm development and output (Sertoli cells) is terminally differentiated and unmodifiable in adults. It is postulated, with little evidence, that Sertoli cells are not terminally differentiated in some phenotypes of infertility and testicular cancer. This study sought to compare markers of Sertoli cell differentiation in normospermic men, oligospermic men (undergoing gonadotropin suppression) and testicular carcinoma in situ (CIS) and seminoma samples. Confocal microscopy was used to assess the expression of markers of proliferation (PCNA and Ki67) and functional differentiation (androgen receptor). As additional markers of differentiation, the organization of Sertoli cell tight junction and associated proteins were assessed in specimens with carcinoma in situ. In normal men, Sertoli cells exhibited a differentiated phenotype (i.e., PCNA and Ki67 negative, androgen 40 receptor positive). However, after long-term gonadotropin suppression, 1.7 ± 0.6% of Sertoli cells exhibited PCNA reactivity associated with a diminished immunoreactivity in androgen receptor, suggesting an undifferentiated phenotype. Ki67-positive Sertoli cells were also observed. PCNA-positive Sertoli cells were never observed in tubules with carcinoma in situ, and only rarely observed adjacent to seminoma. Tight junction protein localization (claudin 11, JAM-A and ZO-1) was altered in CIS, with a reduction in JAM-A reactivity in Sertoli cells from tubules with CIS and the emergence of strong JAM-A reactivity in seminoma. These findings indicate that adult human Sertoli cells exhibit characteristics of an undifferentiated state in oligospermic men and patients with CIS and seminoma in the presence of germ cell neoplasia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerard A Tarulli
- Prince Henry's Institute of Medical Research; Clayton; Victoria, Australia; Department of Anatomy & Developmental Biology; Monash University; Victoria, Australia
| | - Peter G Stanton
- Prince Henry's Institute of Medical Research; Clayton; Victoria, Australia; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; Monash University; Victoria, Australia
| | - Kate L Loveland
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; Monash University; Victoria, Australia; Monash Institute of Medical Research; Monash University; Victoria, Australia
| | - Ewa Rajpert-De Meyts
- Department of Growth & Reproduction; University of Copenhagen (Rigshospitalet); Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Robert I McLachlan
- Prince Henry's Institute of Medical Research; Clayton; Victoria, Australia; Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology; Monash University; Victoria, Australia
| | - Sarah J Meachem
- Prince Henry's Institute of Medical Research; Clayton; Victoria, Australia; Department of Anatomy & Developmental Biology; Monash University; Victoria, Australia
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Qu J, Liu W, Huang C, Xu C, Du G, Gu A, Wang X. Estrogen receptors are involved in polychlorinated biphenyl-induced apoptosis on mouse spermatocyte GC-2 cell line. Toxicol In Vitro 2013; 28:373-80. [PMID: 24216299 DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2013.10.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2013] [Revised: 09/28/2013] [Accepted: 10/23/2013] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are widespread persistent environmental contaminants which have been shown to have reproductive toxicity and to disturb spermatogenesis. But the precise mechanism is not clear. A mouse pachytene spermatocyte-derived cell line, GC-2 cells were used in the present study to investigate the toxic effect of PCBs (Aroclor 1254) and explore the underlying molecular mechanism. Results showed that Aroclor 1254 inhibited cell proliferation, caused the arrest of cells in G0/G1 phase and induced apoptosis which might be partly explained by the decreased expression of Bcl-2 and cell cycle regulator cyclin D1 together with the activation of caspase-3. Besides, the treatment of Aroclor 1254 decreased the protein expression of estrogen receptor (ER)-α while increasing that of ERβ. Then the administration of selective ERα agonist PPT partly reversed Aroclor 1254-induced alteration in Bcl-2, caspase-3 and cyclin D1 protein expression while selective ERβ agonist DPN accelerated it. These results suggest that Aroclor 1254, working through ERα and ERβ, interferes with the expression of proteins involved in the balance between cellular apoptosis and proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianhua Qu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China; School of Public Health, NanTong University, 9 Seyuan Road, Nantong 226019, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Wei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Cong Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Cheng Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Guizhen Du
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Aihua Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China.
| | - Xinru Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China.
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Seco-Rovira V, Beltrán-Frutos E, Ferrer C, Sánchez-Huertas MM, Madrid JF, Saez FJ, Pastor LM. Lectin Histochemistry as a Tool to Identify Apoptotic Cells in the Seminiferous Epithelium of Syrian Hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) Subjected to Short Photoperiod. Reprod Domest Anim 2013; 48:974-83. [DOI: 10.1111/rda.12196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2013] [Accepted: 05/15/2013] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- V Seco-Rovira
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Medical School, IMIB, Regional Campus of International Excellence ‘Campus Mare Nostrum’; University of Murcia; Murcia Spain
| | - E Beltrán-Frutos
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Medical School, IMIB, Regional Campus of International Excellence ‘Campus Mare Nostrum’; University of Murcia; Murcia Spain
| | - C Ferrer
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Medical School, IMIB, Regional Campus of International Excellence ‘Campus Mare Nostrum’; University of Murcia; Murcia Spain
| | - MM Sánchez-Huertas
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Medical School, IMIB, Regional Campus of International Excellence ‘Campus Mare Nostrum’; University of Murcia; Murcia Spain
| | - JF Madrid
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Medical School, IMIB, Regional Campus of International Excellence ‘Campus Mare Nostrum’; University of Murcia; Murcia Spain
| | - FJ Saez
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology UFI11/44, School of Medicine and Dentistry; University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU; Leioa Spain
| | - LM Pastor
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Medical School, IMIB, Regional Campus of International Excellence ‘Campus Mare Nostrum’; University of Murcia; Murcia Spain
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Tarulli GA, Stanton PG, Meachem SJ. Is the adult Sertoli cell terminally differentiated? Biol Reprod 2012; 87:13, 1-11. [PMID: 22492971 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.111.095091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
New data have challenged the convention that the adult Sertoli cell population is fixed and unmodifiable. The Sertoli cell has two distinct functions: 1) formation of the seminiferous cords and 2) provision of nutritional and structural support to developing germ cells. For these to occur successfully, Sertoli cells must undergo many maturational changes between fetal and adult life, the main switches occurring around puberty, including the loss of proliferative activity and the formation of the blood-testis barrier. Follicle-stimulating hormone plays a key role in promoting Sertoli cell proliferation, while thyroid hormone inhibits proliferative activity in early postnatal life. Together these regulate the Sertoli-germ cell complement and sperm output in adulthood. By puberty, the Sertoli cell population is considered to be stable and unmodifiable by hormones. But there is mounting evidence that the size of the adult Sertoli cell population and its maturational status is modifiable by hormones and that Sertoli cells can gain proliferative ability in the spermatogenically disrupted hamster and human model. This new information demonstrates that the adult Sertoli cell population, at least in the settings of testicular regression in the hamster and impaired fertility in humans in vivo and from mice and men in vitro, is not a terminally differentiated population. Data from the hamster now show that the adult Sertoli cell population size is regulated by hormones. This creates exciting prospects for basic and clinical research in testis biology. The potential to replenish an adult Sertoli-germ cell complement to normal in a setting of infertility may now be realized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerard A Tarulli
- Prince Henry's Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
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O'Shaughnessy PJ, Monteiro A, Abel M. Testicular development in mice lacking receptors for follicle stimulating hormone and androgen. PLoS One 2012; 7:e35136. [PMID: 22514715 PMCID: PMC3325994 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0035136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2012] [Accepted: 03/13/2012] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Post-natal testicular development is dependent on gonadotrophin and androgen stimulation. Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) acts through receptors (FSHR) on the Sertoli cell to stimulate spermatogenesis while androgens promote testis growth through receptors (AR) on the Sertoli cells, Leydig cells and peritubular myoid cells. In this study we have examined the effects on testis development of ablating FSHRs (FSHRKO mice) and/or ARs ubiquitously (ARKO mice) or specifically on the Sertoli cells (SCARKO mice). Cell numbers were measured using stereological methods. In ARKO mice Sertoli cell numbers were reduced at all ages from birth until adulthood. FSHR ablation also caused small reductions in Sertoli cell numbers up to day 20 with more marked effects seen in the adult. Germ cell numbers were unaffected by FSHR and/or AR ablation at birth. By day 20 ubiquitous AR or FSHR ablation caused a marked reduction in germ cell numbers with a synergistic effect of losing both receptors (germ cell numbers in FSHRKO.ARKO mice were 3% of control). Germ cell numbers in SCARKO mice were less affected. By adulthood, in contrast, clear synergistic control of germ cell numbers had become established between the actions of FSH and androgen through the Sertoli cells. Leydig cell numbers were normal on day 1 and day 5 in all groups. By day 20 and in adult animals total AR or FSHR ablation significantly reduced Leydig cell numbers but Sertoli cell specific AR ablation had no effect. Results show that, prior to puberty, development of most testicular parameters is more dependent on FSH action than androgen action mediated through the Sertoli cells although androgen action through other cells types is crucial. Post-pubertally, germ cell numbers and spermatogenesis are dependent on FSH and androgen action through the Sertoli cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter J O'Shaughnessy
- College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom.
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N-acetyl-l-cysteine modulates multiple signaling pathways to rescue male germ cells from apoptosis induced by chronic hCG administration to rats. Apoptosis 2012; 17:551-65. [DOI: 10.1007/s10495-012-0703-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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Maheshwari A, Misro MM, Aggarwal A, Sharma RK, Nandan D. Pathways involved in testicular germ cell apoptosis induced by H2O2in vitro. FEBS J 2009; 276:870-81. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1742-4658.2008.06831.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Sá R, Neves R, Fernandes S, Alves C, Carvalho F, Silva J, Cremades N, Malheiro I, Barros A, Sousa M. Cytological and Expression Studies and Quantitative Analysis of the Temporal and Stage-Specific Effects of Follicle-Stimulating Hormone and Testosterone During Cocultures of the Normal Human Seminiferous Epithelium1. Biol Reprod 2008; 79:962-75. [DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.107.067546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
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Phytoestrogen treatment induces testis alterations in dogs. Potential use in population control. Vet Res Commun 2008; 33:87-95. [PMID: 18712487 DOI: 10.1007/s11259-008-9077-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/26/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Dog overpopulation is considered a human health risk; they are the terrestrial vector of rabies and reservoirs for other human diseases. Surgical neutering and intratesticular injections have been used in male dogs. Physiological and morphological alterations in reproductive organs can be induced by phytoestrogens. Our goal was to evaluate the effect of oral coumestrol on dog ejaculates and testis histology. Two groups of 5 healthy adult dogs were used. One coumestrolcontaining biscuit was given once a week for a 4 week period to the experimental group. Ejaculates were obtained and evaluated. After treatment, testis were obtained and processed for histology. Compared to controls, treated dogs have reduced tubules (462 +/- 1.4 vs 336 +/- 2 micron(2)), spermatogenic epithelium (49.1 +/- 0.01 vs 13.3 +/- 0.01 micron(2)), and lumen opening (891 +/- 1.4 vs 530 +/- 26.9 micron). Ejaculates from treated animals have increased numbers of abnormal spermatozoa and reduced sperm concentration.
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Ruwanpura SM, McLachlan RI, Stanton PG, Meachem SJ. Follicle-stimulating hormone affects spermatogonial survival by regulating the intrinsic apoptotic pathway in adult rats. Biol Reprod 2007; 78:705-13. [PMID: 18094353 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.107.065912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Follicle-stimulating hormone plays a key role in spermatogonial development in adult rats via poorly understood mechanisms. We aimed to identify the role of this hormone in the regulation of germ cell apoptosis and proliferation in adult rats by suppression of FSH action following passive immunoneutralization with a rat FSH antibody for 4 and 7 days. Apoptosis and proliferation were identified by TUNEL and proliferating cell nuclear antigen labeling methods, respectively. Intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways were identified by immunohistochemistry, stereological techniques, and RT-PCR by assessing pathway-specific proteins and genes. Following FSH suppression for 4 and 7 days, we have previously reported a 30% decrease in spermatogonial number, with increased apoptosis in a stage-specific manner. The present study also shows stage-specific increases in apoptosis with no changes in proliferation. This increase in apoptosis was attributable to an increase in spermatogonial apoptosis via the intrinsic rather than extrinsic pathway, as shown by increased activated caspase 9-positive spermatogonia. The concomitant suppression of FSH and LH/testosterone showed that testosterone alone or together with FSH was more important in spermatocyte and spermatid survival by regulating both apoptotic pathways. A reduction in the level of the intrinsic pathway transcript Bcl2l2 (apoptosis suppressor gene) following FSH suppression for 4 days shows that FSH regulates some components of the intrinsic pathway. This study reveals that FSH predominantly acts as a survival factor for spermatogonia by regulating the intrinsic pathway while having no affect on germ cell proliferation in rats in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saleela M Ruwanpura
- Prince Henry's Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia
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